I wouldn’t recommend the Flair Neo Flex for lighter roasts, which can be challenging to extract. A more developed bean is more suitable in this instance. There are add-ons, too, with a dosing cup that doubles as a tamper, a dosing ring that helps prevent mess, and a removable drip tray. So I think we’ve established I love espresso machines and the set of tools they deliver to me as a barista. With that enthusiasm, I dived right into using the Flair 58. The Flairs don’t have steam wands, so there’s no scope for brewing milk-based coffees. So, suppose you generally enjoy drinks like latte or cappuccino. In that case, you might prefer a basic semi-automatic espresso maker with a grinder built-in for a similar price to a Flair maker and a separate grinder, and a milk steamer.

Also included is a dosing cup, funnel and preheat cap. The NEO Flex is now compatible with the Pressure Gauge Kit! > The Flair NEO is the company’s least expensive machine and is competitively priced. However, as we await the release of the Flair 58, the PRO2 is the most expensive in the Flair range. So, with such a significant price gap between the two, let’s examine how they differ. The Case I have not used the first iteration of this machine, which required you to remove the pressure gauge valve assembly each time you wanted to fill the reservoir. Instead, the current Flair 58 has a one way flow through valve that allows you to fill the reservoir with the entire assembly pressed down and in place. This is a game changer over any and all Flair machines. To be sure, it’s a way better workflow than even the Cafelat Robot, which I previously gave top marks for being easy to use (as compared to the Flair Pro or the ROK Espresso machine).All this said, there’s a few parts on the Flair 58 that will see long term wear and tear. It’s all the gaskets on the machine. I would have liked to see them include at least one set of spares in the box, for the flow through valve gaskets and the grouphead gasket (the gasket the filter basket mates up to). Temperature Tests The Flair 58 breaks that paradigm. The addition of the heated reservoir takes away the need for temperature management. The 58mm portafilter simplifies the workflow greatly. The updated flow valve plunger design Flair brought to this machine only months after it was launched also greatly improves the workflow of the machine.

Towards the end of my six month tests with the Flair 58, with the machine well broken in, I ran a series of temperature tests using a Scace device. I wanted to see what the water temperature was based on start up times of the machine and using just-off-the-boil water. I set the machine to the highest temperature setting (Flair says its 95C), and set about data logging the results. Superkop Lever Espresso Machine One of the most unique espresso makers currently on the market, this is our First Look at the Superkop ratchet lever espresso machine. It seems that’s precisely the thing that Flair wants to avoid. So instead of breaking the plastic frame, you’ll break the seal long before. I can’t think of other products that follow this design philosophy, although I’m sure there are probably some.The Flair NEO is capable of many of the same functions as pricier manual espresso machines. However, you can make improvements with some add-ons too. The Flair PRO is worth looking at if you have more money to spend, as it’ll reward you with a better build quality and more professional-tasting espresso. However, to produce that, you’ll also need some dialing-in experience and a premium grinder. The lever arm’s added length and big grippy handle make pulling shots an easy affair that even my neighbour’s 9 year old child was able to do several times. Simplified Dial-in: The Flow-Control Portafilter builds appropriate pressure for extraction, reducing the need for extensive dialling-in. We also suggest buying the pressure gauge kit. This is a great accessory for monitoring the pressure as you brew.